Aeroplane.



J. W. DUNNE.

AEROPLANE. APPLICATION I'ILED JUNE 20, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented Nov. 15, 1910.

- aim and Ireland, and resi To all whom it may concern:

PLANE SYNDICATE, LIMITED, OF

Jenn WILLIAM DUNNE, on Lonnon, ENGLAND, assrenon 'ro BLAIR ATHOLL anno- LONDON, ENGLAND.

AEROIPLANE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 15, 1910.

Application filed June 20,1910. Serial No. 567,949.

Be it known that I, JOHN WILLIAM DUNLNE, a subject of the Kin of Great Brit- 'ng at No. 16 Charing Cross, London, W. b. England, have invented certain new and useful Improv'ements in Aeroplanes, of which the following is a specification.

y has for its object to construct the underfran'ies of such machines .in an improved manner.

The invention consists inan improved underframe comprising a single or double system of supporting rods and springs or other shock absorbers each s stem comprisin when viewed in side e evat-ion radius was pivoted to the body of the aeroplane at points fore and aft and to thelower and upper ends respectively of a rod or frame carrying the wheels or other support together with a spring connection between the upper end of said rod or frame and a central support on the body of the aeroplane.

The invention also consists in an underframe comprising a double system, that is, described having universally jointed rods and spring cross connections connecting the right hand and left hand systems.

The invention further consists in the improved construction of aeroplane hereinafter described.

Referring to the accompanyingl drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view s owing one form of underframe; while Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 being a perspective view of a modified form.

In the form of underframe shown in Fig. l the superstructure A of the aeroplane is supported by a double system of rods and sprlngs from the wheels B. The rods, C, D, are attached to the transverse rods, E, F, on

which the superstructure is supporte by sockets, G. H, in which the rods E, F, can rotate. Pivoted rods, I, connect the lower inventlon relates to aeroplanes, and

a pair of wheels or other supports as above '6, which can pivot about the cross 4 wheels central rectangles.

are further connected by universally jointed rods, 0 P Q, and diagonal spring stays,R S, which may be rovided with inextensible central stays, The rectangles made by the rods C E P, and by the rods, D O F, are provided with dragonal stays, U V, respectively.

In the above described form of underframe the shock of landing is taken up by the spring M and the universal joint and spring cross connection allows a certain amount of transverse deformation so that to limit their extension.

breakages due to inclination of the machine to the horizontal on landin and lateral movement at the moment of striking the ground are avoided. During flight the position of the wheels and underframe are n the position illustrated in dotted linesan Fig. 2; the chain lines represent the position on alighting, the springs M -being compressed and the frames vNturned about a horizontal axis and also having a movement of translation. The full lines show the position when the aeroplane is running on the ground.

In the form of underframe shown in Fig. 3, which provides a broader wheel base the underframe is, connected to the superstructure by the pair of rods C, one pair on each side and the pairs of rods D, these sets being pivoted at their upper ends to the body of the aeroplane at 1 and 2. The lower ends 'of the rodsC are pivoted to a cross and the lower ends of the rods D to a cross bar 4, the cross bars 3 six nearly vertical rods I and diagonal ][gods are. Rods K pivoted to the superstructure of the aeroplane pass through sockets in the bar 4 and thus never project through the superstructure 1, of the aero lane, and s rings M surrounding these ro s are provi ed as in the modification above described. The B are mounted in triangular frames N pivoted on the outside pair of rods I D. A rod 5 which is universally jointed to allow springing of the frame 1, connects the apices of the triangular frames N. Spring stays are stretched diagonally cross connecting the ends of the rods 3 and 5, and inextensible stays 7, 8 give additional support to the In the forms of the invention above described the systems of supporting rods,

bar 3.

I C D I, and sprin M, surrounding: rods K,

are shown a plie to forms of machines having wheels or alighting ;I it will be seen however that the system either single or double ma be applied to machines of other form for wit ski s or runners or other support :instead of wheels.

'It will be seen the system may also be applied in combination with other forms of spring such for instance as tension. springs connected to the upper end of the rod K,

. aeroplane body, as set forth.

and to the framework A, Fi 1, or air buffers or the like may be emp oyed..

Having now described my invention what I claim-as new and desire to secure by Let:

ters Patent is z 1. In an aeroplane, a system of supporting rods and shock absorbing means, such system including an aeroplane body, a member carrying supportin means such as wheels, radius rods pivote to said aeroplane body 5 at points fore and aft and to the lower and upper ends respectively of said member and a spring connection between the upper'end of said member and acentral point of said 2. In an aeroplane a system of supportmg rods and shock absorbing means, such system including an aeroplane body, a membody at points fore and aft and to the o'wer ber including trian lar frames carrying wheels, radius rods pivoted to said aero lane and upper ends respectively of said member and a spring connection between the upper two subscribin end of said member and a central point of said aeroplane body, as set faith.

I '3. In an aeroplanea system of support:

ing rods and, shockjfibgqrbing means, such system including ,an aeroplane body, a member including trian' ar frames carrying wheels, 'radius rods pivoted to said aeroplane body at points fore and aft and to the lower and upper endsrespctively of said member,

rods pivoted to the upper end of said member and springs surrounding said, rods and forming a connection between the upper end,

of said member and the'central point of said aeroplane body, as set forth. f

4. In an aeroplane a system of supporting rods and shock absorbing means,'such system including an aeroplane body, a member including trian lar frames carrying wheels, radius rods plvoted to said aeroplane body at pointsfore and aft and to the lower and'upper ends respectively of said member,

' rods pivoted to the upper end of said member and passing through sockets laced at a central point of said aeroplane ody and springs surrounding said rods and bearin against thev upper end ofsaid member an against said sockets, as set forth. v 

